Newfoundland Air Mail 1919-39
January 25, 2023
Newfoundland has played an important role in the development of long-distance air travel. As the easternmost place in North America, it became a popular runway for many aviation pioneers attempting to cross the Atlantic by air in 1919. It also served as a refueling point for round-the-world attempts in the 1920s. Amelia Earhart made two record-setting flights from Newfoundland, in 1928 and 1932. The advent of passenger flights in the 1930s brought the pioneer period to a close, but established Newfoundland as a major stopover between Europe and North America. This June will mark 104th Anniversary of the Alcock & Brown flight (On 15 June 1919 came the telegram with the news that the Vicker's Vimy landed in Ireland, having completed the 1,860 mile flight in 16 hours. The news was received with great enthusiasm. "Well, it must be something for a man in Ireland today to be able to say Yesterday, when I was in America", quoted the pilots). The rest is history.
We are pleased to present the award-winning collection assembled by Jean-Claude Vasseur, author of "Newfoundland Air Mails 1919/1939" published in 2015. The collection tells the story of the Great Transatlantic Air Race and the struggles of early aviation. Many rarities and unique items are included.
The auction will take place on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at 1:00 PM at Cherrystone Auction Galleries and on CherrystoneLive.
| Images | Description | Current Bid |
 | Lot #49 NEWFOUNDLAND AIR MAIL - 1921-1939 1927 "De Pinedo" - Supplementary Mail 1927 De Pinedo Supplementary mail, cover to Rome, Italy franked with ordinary 60c (unoverprinted), tied by 22 May cds of Rome, with Trepassey 21 May departure stamp alongside, addressed to the Postmaster, Rome Italy, 22 May Roma Centro arrival stamps on reverse. This mail was taken in both St. John's and Trepassey with most of the covers canceled on departure (only 75 flown), v.f., signed Diena, Bolaffi and Colla, accompanied by their 1983, 1986 and 2014 certificates, also 1971 BPA certificate (SG £13,000)  Catalog #AAMC FF-28c Catalog Value $ 14,000 | Price Realized $2,400.00 |
 | Lot #50 NEWFOUNDLAND AIR MAIL - 1921-1939 1927 "De Pinedo" - Supplementary Mail 1927 De Pinedo Supplementary mail sent by Joseph Curtis, mail clerk at Trepassey Railway, cover addressed to Victor Gordon, High Commissioner, London, England, marked "personal", endorsed "Air Mail Pinedo 1927", franked with ordinary 60c (unoverprinted), tied by Trepassey 21 May departure cds, with Rome Italy, 22 May Roma Centro arrival stamp on reverse. This is the only known cover canceled by error in Trepassey and not in Rome, Catalog #AAMC FF-28c Catalog Value $ 14,000 | Price Realized $3,750.00 |
